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Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | My local guy got a sale mainly because of what he was willing to inventory. I had been lurking around for months playing what they had and waiting for the LX. When the day came and I was about to special order one he said, "hey Matt...get that Al Dimeola out of the backroom and let this guy try it". It's like it was meant to be. Suddenly there was a bond tighter than a spruce top to a bowl. That guitar was like a little puppy that just could not be left in the shop.
Yeah...it was an emotional buy.
On the practical side, I did get a good deal which was later confirmed by some after the fact shopping. Also, these are the guys running the open mic nights that have been so enjoyable.
So as long as the price difference is not huge (like within a couple percent), I'll get my gear from them. I think they earned it.
Brad |
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July 2004
Posts: 338
Location: Omaha | The two larger guitar stores in my area (Omaha) are BOTH usually willing to meet Musician's Friend, etc., prices on their gear...they know it's the only way to stay in business.
They are knowledgeble and helpful, and I've never heard any of their sales people steering a novice into a sale with misrepresentation ("hype") about a piece of gear. They try to help young players (and their parents standing behind them with the checkbooks) understand exactly what they're going to be getting if they're buying a starter instrument.
We had a Marrs Music here in town for awhile, and it didn't destroy these other stores because they have a good reputation and treat the customer right; novice, friend, pro - doesn't seem to matter. Makes me feel good about keeping most of my dollars at home. |
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March 2002
Posts: 389
Location: RI. That small State out East | I "work" when I'm at "my" guitar center.
I know I "helped" sell an Elite LX for $1049.00 today.
When on the road... I pass the lonely nights (do you hear the music building in the background)I tune guitars and BS with the "new" guy. I tell them "I'm out of town..."
I know I've handed a "O" to a stranger at least 20 times... Try this one it's sweet.
No guilt. I buy strings. My kid the drummer is in the hundreds on gear. I do help sell guitars.
I visit 3 times a month... Maybe more.
Woz |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | We need to get Woz a black raincoat with an Ovation logo on the back . . .
Then he can be like that guy on the cellular service commercials. |
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March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | "Can you hear me now?" |
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Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I don't know why it is but the stores in CT have never really carried Ovations. Maybe in the early days people could get seconds easily and backdoor the retailer. To whatever degree that existed, it ended 30 years ago.
It reminds me of the story of a dealer who was being hasseled by a kid for the mail order price on something. The guitar was 500 and the kid was saying I can get it for 400. Dealer replies that here you get a set up, an extra set of strings, and a check up in 30 days. Kid keeps whining and so the dealer says OK, I'll give you the mail order price. Kid says great I'll take that red one. Dealer says No your red guitar is in the back room, last box on the left, go get it and take the box so I don't have to clean up after you, do your own set up and buy your own strings and don't come back here if there are any problems.
Things have changed some. Dealers are more responsive and the mailorder(internet) is more customer friendly. Bottom line, buy where ever you get exactally what you want. You decide how much that set up, extra set of strings and 30 day checkup are worth to you. |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Lisa:
I am curious about Al though
...many people are! :rolleyes:
Seriously, Al Pepiak (one of the Originators for this site) www.lostartvintage.com is one of the most honest, reliable, straightforward dealers I know. I (and many others) have acquired expensive guitars from him sight-unseen based soley on his recommendations/experience and have not been disappointed. His prices are usually below those found elsewhere.
When I'm ready to buy my dream Adamas, there is absolutely no doubt that I'll buy it from Al :D
...if you need more convincing, consider this: He is unashamedly a Teletubbie Fan (some have called him the 5th Teletubbie!) :D :D :D |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | He has great shirts, especially the mauve one.
Also the new series was named after him aLeX. That's where the LX came from, it is not a smallmindedcan'tthinkofanythingoriginaltosavemyass marketing ripoff of the Chrysler and Honda model names |
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June 2002
Posts: 6202
Location: Phoenix AZ | Yes, it's called a rosette.
Yes, Al is a great dealer (and there are others).
CLICK. |
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July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | Ford used to use LX, too, cwk2.....they decided to go to names like "Limited" and "Premium"....
Lisa, Al is one of the moderators of this site, and although I have not purchased from him, he is undoubtedly the best option for buying an O other than at a local shop(where you can buy the one you play). The "shameless plugs" here are based on happy experiences!!!!
Yes, the ring around the sound hole is called a rosette, no matter what brand of guitar it is. The leaf decorations around the sound holes on an Adamas are called epaulettes(hope I spelled it right).
It's amazing that your "dummies" book did not mention Adamas as one of the "25 guitars you must know" or whatever that was. They are among the most unique and wonderful-sounding guitars ever made.
In case you have not run across it yet, Adamas is Ovation's top line of guitars. The tops are made of a sandwich of carbon fiber with a thin layer of birch. They have a wonderful even sound.
Roger |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Tim Chapman:
Seriously, Al Pepiak (one of the Originators for this site) www.lostartvintage.com is one of the most honest, reliable, straightforward dealers I know. I (and many others) have acquired expensive guitars from him sight-unseen based soley on his recommendations/experience and have not been disappointed. His prices are usually below those found elsewhere.
And, for a bit of trivia, he just did an interview for Guitar Digest with Jack Zucker, author of 'Sheets of Sound.'
(no, I'm not stalking him....really) |
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May 2003
Posts: 79
Location: Toronto, Canada | Lisa:
I purchased an Adamas from Al, and it was a smooth and pleasant transaction. I ordered on a Tuesday, and the guitar was in my hands by Fri!
No worries here.
Good luck to you.
wemedge |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Old Applause Owner:
Yes, the ring around the sound hole is called a rosette, no matter what brand of guitar it is. The leaf decorations around the sound holes on an Adamas are called epaulettes(hope I spelled it right).
The epaulettes aren't just on the Adamas...they're on the Elite, too!!!
:)
--
Join the 'Elites Are Wood Adamas And Just As Good!' movement...send your donations (cash or non-Elite Ovations) to 'EAWA2JAG' c/o Cruster |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Lisa,
Take a look in my Gallery at my 2001 Collector's Redwood top.... Epaulettes? Some folks call them "angel Wings" ;) |
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August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | Lisa,
It's a Scottish cow....
Try this:
2001 Collector's Redwood |
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Joined:
August 2003
Posts: 2246
Location: Yucaipa, California | You're welcome :)
I agree and it sounds just as good (in spite of how I play)! :cool: by the way, I think Al may still have some of these in his closet.... www.lostartvintage.com... see #92 under the Instruments section ;) |
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Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Elite and Adamas are for men? Well yes but certainly not exclusively! Like that T-shirt that says "BEER, it's not just for breakfast anymore" Anyone can play and enjoy these. You better try one when you're at the faccory. And then when you're confused with that tell them you wnat to play one of those old slothead Adamas guitars. My three are out there. That will get you really confused as to what you will want. It's fun though. |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Lisa:
Regardless, I'll give the link to my husband, although, from this fan club, I think you guys give the impression that the Elite & Adamas are guitars for men. That's an expensive impression....like three or four times more than my Balladeer. Hmmmmm. I'll need to think about this one.
Thanks,
Lisa
Gosh, I hope *I* haven't contributed to the impression that Elites are solely and exclusively 'for men!' And they don't have to be expensive...I only paid slightly more for my Elite (used) than some of the Balladeers go for on eBay. Of course, *after* I bought it, I found Al's site and discovered I might have been able to do better, but...such is life.
W-2: I've been reading your posts and other posts which reference you for a couple of months or more now, and I get the impression you are, or were, somehow involved with Ovation. Maybe it's none-'o-my-bidnez, but what's the connection? I'm just curious and mebee there are some other lurkers/new-bz here that wonder as well but are too intimidated by all you old timers to ask.
;) |
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September 2003
Posts: 9301
Location: south east Michigan | CWK2.
Hey...old timer...do you need some help or anything sir?
oh..and how is the hip doing?
and the knees...is there a storm a-comin'? :D :D
Brad
FYI..Lisa reffered to the low number members as "old timers". |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I've often found that when I want to know something, it's best (and often alot more fun) to just do some rudimentary "detective work" (hell, if someone like Moody can make a LIVING at it, it should be a "breeze" for the rest of us:-)
It's been mentioned numerous times before but, . . procure a copy of Walter Carter's "History of the Ovation Guitar". It really SHOULD be "required reading" here (and I'm sure if Hal Leanord keeps consistently selling copies, it'll STAY in "reprint" :-).
"Seek and All Answers Shall Become Clear To You, My Son"
btw: If I were you . . I'd WATCH that "Old Timer" shit! . . . . :D |
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Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 15680
Location: SoCal | Bill is, I think, only a year or two older than me. Which means that like me, he's only a third of the way thru his life. Pretty damned young. |
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March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | "Cocoon"?? |
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May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Originally posted by Lisa:
So sorry....try again?
Rejuvenatrix (late 80s, I think)? Or perhaps, Death Becomes Her (early 90s?)??
Am I right? What do I win?!
Cliff-
I *could* buy the O book, and have even considered it...but, where's the fun in that. Now, if it were available as an eBook (in .lit format), I'd jump on it in a minute... |
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April 2004
Posts: 265
Location: Warrenton, Virginia | For Tim chapman:
Tim...that's a beautiful guitar |
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January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | I guess a single digit number really makes you an old fart and since this is the Old Farts Club, isn't that what OFC means? I guess I fit right in. |
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Ethical question about trying guitars
